Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

The government analysis finds that subsidies to help pay premiums will protect people buying coverage on the health law's marketplaces even as the number of insurers offering plans decreases and insurers set steep premium increases.

Bloomberg:
Obamacare Subsidies Preserve Access As Premiums Climb, U.S. Says
Most buyers of Obamacare plans won’t see their costs jump, even if premiums increase next year, because of government subsidies, the U.S. said in a study that pushes back on reports of challenges facing the health-coverage overhaul. Government contributions to premiums will mask the rise in costs for most buyers on the program’s exchanges, according to the report from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. The study comes amid mounting reports of skyrocketing premiums. (Tracer, 8/24)

The Hill:
White House: Most ObamaCare Users Will Be Shielded From Premium Spikes
The White House released data Wednesday showing the vast majority of ObamaCare customers would be shielded from double-digit premium hikes that are expected to hit most of the country this fall. Even if premiums increased by a whopping 50 percent, most ObamaCare customers would still pay $100 or less per month for coverage, according to a 12-page report by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (Ferris, 8/24)

Modern Healthcare:
HHS Says 2017 Obamacare Plans Will Still Be Affordable Despite Insurer Exits
The Obama administration is fighting the notion that recent bad news for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, including multiple insurers pulling out and reports of skyrocketing premium rates, will sink the exchanges. HHS released an analysis Wednesday arguing that expected increases in premiums for 2017 plans in the ACA marketplaces will not make the plans unaffordable. (Muchmore, 8/24)

Morning Consult:
HHS Report: Most Marketplace Consumers Will Have Affordable Coverage Options
“Headline rate increases do not reflect what consumers actually pay,” Kathryn Martin, acting assistant secretary for planning and evaluation, said in a statement. “Our study shows that, even in a scenario where all plans saw double digit rate increases, the vast majority of consumers would continue to have affordable options.” Shopping around on the marketplaces can keep health insurance affordable because consumers can easily search for the cheapest plan each year, the report says. (McIntire, 8/24)

Chicago Tribune:
Feds Aim To Calm Fears Over Possible Obamacare Rate Hikes
Even if health insurance rates skyrocket by 10 to 50 percent next year, about two-thirds of Illinois residents who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act's marketplace would pay no more than $100 a month in premiums, the federal government said Wednesday. That's because consumers could shop around on the marketplace and because premium tax credits would also increase and be available to more people, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report. (Schencker, 8/24)

Dallas Morning News:
HHS Department: Fear Not, Obamacare Will Remain Competitive
Despite recent decisions by several health insurers to stop offering plans in Texas on the Obamacare marketplace in 2017, federal officials say consumers will continue to have low-cost options. An estimated 80 percent of those who purchase health coverage on HealthCare.gov during open enrollment should be able to purchase a plan for less than $75 per month. That's even in a hypothetical scenario where final rates from insurers increase 50 percent, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday. (Rice, 8/24)

Houston Chronicle:
Feds Say ACA Working Despite Insurers' Exodus From Exchange
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sought to reassure a worried and sometimes disgruntled public on Wednesday, insisting there will still be a robust selection of affordable health insurance plans next year on the federal exchange despite the recent defections by major insurers. Just last week Aetna said it would no longer be offering plans on the Affordable Care Act's exchange next year in 11 states, including Texas. (Deam, 8/24)

St. Louis Post Dispatch:
Feds Tout Exchange Benefits Despite Lack Of Competition For 2017
Despite the withdrawal of some insurers from government-run health insurance exchanges, federal officials insist the Affordable Care Act is still working to provide more consumers with coverage and choices. ...The administration of President Barack Obama has been pressed to defend the landmark health care reform in recent weeks as major companies move to dramatically reduce their participation in the exchanges, including in Missouri. (Liss, 8/25)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.